Port Blair, Feb.27: The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), who is on a day’s visit to Little Andaman, visited Dugong Creek and interacted with the Onges in the morning and saw for himself the development work of play ground and repairing works of Onge settlement etc. The Lt. Governor distributed clothes, spectacles and wheel chair to the needy.

Thereafter, the Lt. Governor took a windshield tour of Little Andaman upto V.K Pur. On the way, the Lt. Governor stopped at waterfall, Kalapathar and Buttler Bay Beaches. Thereafter, the Lt. Governor held meeting with the PRIs at the APWD guest house. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray was also present on the occasion. During the meeting, the Pramukh and Pradhan of Little Andaman raised various issues including increasing shipping services to Hut Bay, allotment of vacant permanent shelters, exploiting tourism potential, poor telephone and internet connectivity by BSNL, providing of ultrasound machine at PHC Hut Bay and non-maintenance of street lights by Electricity Department.

Responding to the grievances raised by the PRIs, the Lt. Governor informed that the Administration is committed towards tourism development in Little Andaman. Accordingly, the NITI Aayog team also visited Little Andaman Islands in this regard. The Lt. Governor further stated that the Administration is exploring the possibilities of increasing the shipping services in the southern group of Islands, including Hut Bay.
Regarding allotment of permanent shelter, the Lt. Governor directed the Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman to put up the proposal for allotment of shelter to local residents of Little Andaman only. On the issue of non-maintenance of street lights, the Lt. Governor directed the Electrical Department to sort out the issue within 45 days and directed that there should not be any complaint regarding power issue.

The Lt Governor also visited PHC RK Pur and interacted with the in and out patients and doctors there.

Thereafter, the Lt. Governor visited Nicobarie settlement at Harminder Bay. The first Captain of the Nicobarie settlement welcomed the Lt. Governor and put forth demands for widening of road, better ship connectivity, telephone connectivity and posting of Vice-Principal at Harminder Bay School. The Lt. Governor assured them of looking into their grievances. Further, the Lt. Governor informed that as per their earlier demand, the construction of community hall is under progress. Besides, estimate is under preparation for a foot path and recreation hall for elderly people, the Lt. Governor informed.